"Discovering Your City: Ideas, Recommendations, and Tips for Any Budget 

No matter which city you choose for your study abroad, you will need to learn how to efficiently navigate your way around. Getting to class from your living space and exploring the city will require some understanding of your cities transportation infrastructure. This article will help you become familiar with the various options you have in getting from point A to point B. 

The Easiest Option

The easiest but not particularly the cheapest option would be to utilize your cities ridesharing service platforms including Uber, Lyft, Sidecare etc.. In the U.S., the cities that most commonly utilize these services include Washington D.C., Boston, Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago. These cities also happen to be extremely popular study abroad destinations for internationals students. Depending on the city you go to, there should be numerous options and the platforms should be easy to download on any smart phone. Simply tap a button, input your address, and a driver will show up to take you to your desired destination. Once again, this option is extremely convenient, however, in major cities it costs an average of $14 per trip.

Public Transportation around the U.S.

Cities across the United States have vastly different public transportation systems. For instance, in New York City, most people rely on the subway system and public busses to get around. However, in Pittsburgh, where Ojisu Homestay is based, travelers mostly rely on public bussing. 

Some cities have elevated and underground train systems with buses connecting the lines. Others only have bus lines. The frequency of service often depends on the amount of ridership. Peak hours are usually in the morning from 6 am-10 am and in the evening from 4pm-7pm. During this time, it should be very easy to find transportation. Maps.google.com is a useful resource for finding where and when the next available public transportation option will be  coming. 

The Healthier Options

Walking and cycling are two other great options for getting around most cities. Some of the most popular cities for biking transportation include San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, New York, and Portland. A multitude of U.S.cities have designated bike lanes, numerous bike paths and trails, and even rental bikes available in easy to access locations. Biking is a quick and fun way to get to most places nearby. It also is great because cyclists rarely if ever get caught in traffic jams and don’t have to think about schedules. 

Walking is also a great option to get to places within one mile or so. Almost every major street will have sidewalks and this option allows for enjoying shops, restaurants, parks, and American culture along the way.